Albuquerque Personal Injury Attorney
A New Mexico personal injury lawyer who will fight to help you recover financial compensation
Accidents happen all the time, in Albuquerque and throughout the state of New Mexico. They can leave people seriously injured. When negligence led to the accident, victims deserve financial compensation. That’s why so many turn to Albuquerque personal injury attorney Andras Szantho of the Szantho Law Firm.
Attorney Szantho knows how a personal injury accident can affect victims and their families. Someone is left hurt and in need of medical treatment, but medical expenses can add up quickly. If a person can’t work because of the injury, there is less income coming in and it can become harder to make ends meet.
When another person’s negligence led to your injury, you have the right to seek financial compensation. Recovering that compensation can be a complicated process. Negligent parties typically don’t accept responsibility and may deny doing anything wrong. They may even blame you for causing the accident.
An Albuquerque personal injury lawyer who holds negligent parties accountable
Don’t expect help from the insurance companies. They are supposed to help when someone has been hurt, but they are mostly concerned with protecting their profits. So they’ll try to limit your compensation by questioning the seriousness of your injuries. Or they’ll make you a lowball settlement offer that falls far short of covering the damages you have suffered.
Insurance companies have lawyers who protect their interests. You need an attorney who will fight for what’s best for you.
If the insurance company won’t make you a substantial offer, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to get results. We would be more than happy to help you with this.
FAQs about Albuquerque personal injury cases
- What is considered a personal injury case in New Mexico?
- What types of personal injury accidents does our Albuquerque personal injury law firm handle?
- What are common injuries caused by negligence in Albuquerque?
- What should I do immediately after being injured in an accident?
- How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Mexico?
- How is negligence proven in a personal injury case?
- How does an Albuquerque attorney investigate personal injury cases?
- What types of compensation can I recover in a personal injury case?
- How long does it take to settle a personal injury claim in New Mexico?
- Will my personal injury case have to go to trial?
- How will insurance companies challenge my personal injury case?
- How can our elite New Mexico personal injury lawyer help?
What is considered a personal injury case in New Mexico?
A personal injury case arises when someone suffers harm due to another party’s negligence or wrongful actions. In New Mexico, these cases can involve accidents on someone else’s property, injuries caused by unsafe products, or harm from dangerous conditions like poor security or hazardous workplaces. The common thread is negligence. This is the failure of an individual, company, or entity to act with reasonable care. For example, a property owner may fail to fix broken stairs, leading to a fall, or a business may allow a dangerous dog on their premises without proper restraint.
Personal injury law allows victims to pursue financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional toll of their injuries. These cases are civil matters (not criminal), meaning they are resolved through settlements or court judgments. Because every situation is unique, consulting with an experienced Albuquerque personal injury attorney can help you understand whether your injury qualifies as a personal injury claim under New Mexico law and what steps you should take to protect your rights.
What types of personal injury accidents does our Albuquerque personal injury law firm handle?
Personal injury claims and lawsuits can stem from a variety of accidents caused by a property owner’s negligence. At Szantho Law Firm, we fight to get maximum compensation for clients throughout the state. Case types we handle include:
- Slip and fall
- Dog bite and animal attacks
- Wrongful death
- Product liability
- Negligent security
- Premises liability
- Workplace accidents
What are common injuries caused by negligence in Albuquerque?
When someone fails to act responsibly, the consequences can be devastating. Negligence-related accidents in Albuquerque often result in serious physical and emotional injuries that affect victims long after the incident.
Common injuries linked to negligence include:
- Broken Bones, Sprains, and Back Injuries: often from slip and fall accidents, especially dangerous for older adults.
- Head and Brain Trauma: concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from falls, assaults, or defective products.
- Dog Bites and Animal Attacks: puncture wounds, infections, and scarring, with children at the greatest risk.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: workplace accidents or unsafe premises may cause partial or complete paralysis.
- Internal Organ Damage: hidden but potentially life-threatening injuries that require immediate care.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: sprains, torn ligaments, and severe bruising that may not appear right away but cause lasting pain.
- Emotional Harm: anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic event.
What should I do immediately after being injured in an accident?
The steps you take right after an accident can make a significant difference in both your recovery and your ability to pursue compensation later. Acting quickly helps protect your health, strengthens your claim, and prevents insurance companies from downplaying your injuries.
Important steps to take after an accident include:
- Seek Medical Attention Right Away: Even if you feel okay, hidden injuries such as concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage may not show symptoms immediately. A medical record also serves as key evidence in your case.
- Report the Incident: Notify the appropriate party such as a property owner, business manager, supervisor, or law enforcement. Then, make sure there’s an official report of what happened.
- Document the Scene: Take photos or videos of hazardous conditions, your injuries, the incident location, and anything else that could support your claim.
- Collect Witness Information: Get the names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened; their testimony may help confirm your account.
- Avoid Admitting Fault: Casual statements such as “I’m sorry” may be used against you later. Stick to the facts and avoid apologizing or speculating on fault.
- Consult an Albuquerque Personal Injury Lawyer: Speak with an attorney before giving statements to the insurance company. Insurance companies often try to reduce compensation, and a lawyer ensures your rights are protected from day one.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, the law sets a strict deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits, known as the statute of limitations. For most personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim in court. If you fail to take legal action within that time, your case will likely be dismissed, and you will lose your right to pursue compensation. Some cases, such as those involving government entities, may have shorter deadlines and special notice requirements.
Waiting too long to act can also hurt your case even if you’re within the time limit. Evidence may be lost, accident scenes may change, and witness memories may fade. That’s why it’s important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Szantho Law Firm will ensure all filing deadlines are met, preserve critical evidence, and start building a strong case on your behalf. Acting quickly is the best way to protect your rights and maximize your chance of receiving fair compensation.
How is negligence proven in a personal injury case?
To win a personal injury case, you must show that another party’s negligence directly caused your injuries. Proving negligence generally requires establishing four elements.
First, there must be a duty of care, meaning the defendant had a legal responsibility to act reasonably under the circumstances. For example, a store owner maintaining safe premises. Second, you must show a breach of duty, such as failing to fix a spill or provide adequate security. Third, there must be causation, meaning the breach directly led to your injury. Finally, you must demonstrate damages, such as medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.
How does an Albuquerque attorney investigate personal injury cases?
Building a strong personal injury case requires a thorough investigation. The process often begins with obtaining official reports, such as police or accident reports, that document the incident. From there, the team gathers witness statements to corroborate your account and identify any additional details. Photographs, video footage, and physical evidence from the scene are carefully reviewed.
In complicated cases, attorney Andras Szantho consults with experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists, engineers, or medical professionals, who can provide critical insights into how the accident happened and the full extent of your injuries. The firm also reviews medical records, safety reports, and employment records to calculate damages like lost wages and future care needs.
This comprehensive approach ensures no detail is overlooked. By building a case backed by evidence and expert testimony, Szantho Law is able to stand up to insurance companies and, if necessary, present a compelling argument in court to secure maximum compensation for clients.
What types of compensation can I recover in a personal injury case?
When negligence causes an accident, victims may be entitled to financial compensation to cover both tangible expenses and the personal toll of their injuries. The types of damages available in New Mexico personal injury cases generally fall into three categories:
Economic damages – These cover measurable financial losses such as:
- Emergency medical bills and ongoing treatment
- Rehabilitation or therapy costs
- Lost income during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to work
- Property damage connected to the accident
Non-economic damages – These account for the emotional and personal impact of an injury, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or trauma
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Because every case is unique, the amount and type of compensation will vary. An experienced Albuquerque personal injury lawyer at Szantho Law Firm can evaluate your situation and pursue damages that reflect both immediate losses and long-term needs.
How long does it take to settle a personal injury claim in New Mexico?
The timeline for a personal injury case depends on many factors, including the severity of injuries, the complexity of liability, and whether the case goes to trial. In relatively straightforward cases, settlements may be reached within a few months once medical treatment is complete and damages are calculated. However, if liability is disputed, multiple parties are involved, or injuries require long-term treatment, cases can take a year or more to resolve.
One important factor is maximum medical improvement (MMI). This is the point when your condition has stabilized. Settling before reaching MMI could leave you with less compensation than you need for future care. An Albuquerque personal injury lawyer can help move your case forward, keep pressure on insurance companies, and ensure that any settlement fully accounts for both current and future damages. While the process can take time, patience often results in a better outcome for the injured party.
Will my personal injury case have to go to trial?
Not all personal injury cases go to trial. In fact, many are resolved through settlements between your lawyer and the insurance company. Settlements can save time, reduce stress, and provide fair compensation without the uncertainty of a courtroom battle. However, if the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable offer or denies liability altogether, going to court may be necessary.
Filing a lawsuit doesn’t always mean the case will end in trial. Many cases still settle during the litigation process once the insurance company sees the strength of your evidence. Having an experienced attorney is important because it shows the insurance company that you’re prepared to go the distance if needed. Attorney Andras Szantho is a former prosecutor with extensive courtroom experience, giving him the skills to argue your case effectively in front of a jury. Whether your case resolves in settlement or trial, Szantho Law is prepared to fight for the best possible outcome.
How will insurance companies challenge my personal injury case?
Insurance companies are focused on protecting their bottom line, not paying full compensation to accident victims. They often challenge personal injury claims in several ways. They may argue that your injuries are not as serious as claimed or that they were caused by a pre-existing condition rather than the accident.
Insurance companies also try to shift blame onto you to reduce their liability under New Mexico’s comparative negligence rule. Another common tactic is offering quick, low settlements before the full extent of your injuries is known. They may also delay the process to pressure you into accepting less. In some cases, insurance companies hire experts to dispute your medical treatment or argue that your recovery costs are inflated.
Having a skilled personal injury lawyer levels the playing field. An attorney can gather medical evidence, consult experts, and present a strong case backed by facts. By preparing for these challenges from the start, Szantho Law ensures insurance companies can’t take advantage of you during one of the most difficult times in your life.
How can our elite New Mexico personal injury lawyer help?
Since 2007, attorney Szantho has been helping people in Albuquerque who have been injured in slip and fall accidents, dog bite incidents, attacks related to negligent security and other personal injury accidents.
Strong claims are built on facts, so that’s where we start. We review all documentation, including accident reports, safety records and medical records. We identify and interview witnesses. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts and other specialists. Attorney Szantho builds a strong case that proves the negligence of another caused your accident.
When insurance companies see that we are prepared and ready to fight for you in court if necessary, they often agree to talk about a settlement. Albuquerque personal injury lawyer Szantho isn’t interested in making quick deals that help the insurance company save money. Any resolution of your case has to be one that meets your needs.
Call Szantho Law Firm’s Albuquerque office for a free consultation
Attorney Szantho will determine the total amount of damages you have suffered and demand compensation. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to your injury. It includes compensation for any lost wages you suffered while you couldn’t work, and we may seek compensation for other damages, such as pain and suffering.
If you’ve been injured in an Albuquerque personal injury accident, it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Evidence can be lost or destroyed over time, and the memories of witnesses can fade. It can also take time to build a strong case. Albuquerque personal injury attorney Szantho is ready to meet with you.
You may not be sure if you have a personal injury claim. Come in and talk to us anyway. Attorney Szantho can review the details of your accident, go over your options and give you an idea of what to expect. He can also answer any questions that you have. There is no cost and no obligation.
Learn more about how we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with attorney Andras Szantho. Call 505-365-6686.